Tourist Visa Extension for Brazil

Which nationalities can extend the tourist visa in Brazil?

Tourist visa extensions are currently available for passport holders from the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, most Latin American countries, and others.

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Due to reciprocity rules, tourist visa extensions are NOT available for those with European passports from the Schengen Area. There are a few exceptions, including Portugal, Poland, and Norway. The full list of countries and their requirements, in English, is available here.

 

Always double check the visa rules for your country/passport as they can change.

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Where to extend your Brazilian tourist visa

Applications must be submitted in person to the Brazilian Federal Police (Policia Federal). Not all Federal Police offices provide this services. Generally, you will need to go to the Federal Police located in the international airports of each state’s capital city (note in Rio it is located in the domestic airport). Double check that your chosen office provides this service, and if you will need to make an appointment.

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Common places to extend the tourist visa include:

• Rio de Janeiro – Santos Dumont Airport

• São Paulo – Departamento de Polícia Federal - Superintendência Regional SP

• Salvador – Aeroporto Internacional Salvador, upper floor

• Florianopolis – Superintendência Regional da Polícia Federal em Santa Catarina (map)

• Natal – Regional Federal Police (map)

• Joao Pessoa – Immigration Police, located in the Manaira Shopping mall (map)

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For visa extension services in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador, an appointment is not required.

 

When can you extend your Brazilian tourist visa

You can only request an extension of your your tourist visa in the final 15 days of your 90 day tourist visa. Despite various sources encouraging travelers to be organized and make your extension early - this is simply not possible. You will be told to go away and come back in the final 15 days of your visa.

 

You must extend before your current visa expires. If you fail to do so, there is a penalty of R$100 per day for overstaying your visa and you may face problems when returning to Brazil in the future.

 

If you happen to overstay your visa, visit the Federal Police office as soon as possible (ideally on the first day) - you will likely be asked to pay the overstay fee for the days you have overstayed, and be given a passport stamp and instructions to leave within two months without any further fees. This means you can effectively stay in Brazil for eight months. Of course, this process varies based on individual circumstance and you should not rely on this outcome.

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What to bring to the appointment

The official instructions on what to bring to the appointment include the following documents, however in reality, several of these documents are only required when applying in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. See my personal experience & tips below for details.

 

Here is what you should bring to your tourist visa extension appointment:​

• Passport

• Photocopy of passport and entry stamp​

• Application form (fill out the Prorrogação de Estado online). Print the completed form, but do not sign it until you are at the Federal Police office.

• Payment receipt stamped at a Banco do Brasil, or proof of credit card payment if paying online

• A recent credit card or savings account statement showing proof of funds

• Proof of onward travel, before the date of your visa expiry

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It is recommended to dress appropriately at your appointment - try to look like you are visiting a government office and not heading to the beach.

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How to pay for the Brazilian Tourist Visa Extension​

The fee to extend the Tourist Visa in Brazil is currently R$110.44 (2024).

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Follow these steps to make the payment:

1. Follow this link to generate your payment form. Fill out the form with your personal details.

2. Enter Codigo Receita STN 140090, then select 94 - Pedido de prorrogação do prazo de entrada

3. Select your payment method:

   • If you have a CPF, you can make the payment by credit card. Select Cartao de Credito. There is a 3% fee if paying by credit card.

   • If you do not have a CPF, select Baixar GRU. A form will be generated with a barcode. Print it and take it to the bank to make the payment in cash.

4. Keep the payment receipt and bring it to your appointment.​

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Personal Experiences & Tips

I have personally visited three offices for the purpose of obtaining a visa extension: Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Joao Pessoa. In all cases, nobody spoke English, so it would be beneficial to go with a Portuguese speaking friend if you do not speak Portuguese.

 

The process in Rio was confusing and time consuming. First, you hand in your passport to the office, then wait for your name to be called, around 1.5 hours after arriving at opening time. Reports of those going at peak times say that it can take much longer.

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In contrast, in Salvador, the process was quicker, easier, and friendlier. I handed my passport and papers to the secretary at the entrance. She only took the passport, payment slip, and application form – none of the other papers I had needed when applying in Rio. Within 20 minutes my passport was returned with the new visa inside. 

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In Joao Pessoa, the process was similar to Salvador. I took a number, waited around 5 minutes, and once my number was called the process took about 15 minutes. I did not provide any papers except for the payment slip. Reports from those who have visited the Natal office seem to be the same as Joao Pessoa - very quick, easy, and friendly.

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Despite some sources stating that appointments are required for visa extensions, in Salvador, Natal, and Joao Pessoa it is not required to make an appointment. Just turn up at the office with your documents ready.